Application
This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to identify fabric performance and handling requirements.
The unit of competency applies to fabrics used to produce garments and accessories and includes sourcing information from reference material and industry specialists, as well as conducting simple tests to identify fabric types and properties. Identification methods and tests covered by this unit are those where the procedure has already been determined and the range of outcomes established.
Work may be conducted in small to large scale enterprises and may involve individual and team activities.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. | ||
1 | Determine job requirements | 1.1 | Follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) |
1.2 | Comply with work health and safety (WHS) requirements at all times | ||
1.3 | Use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) in accordance with SOPs | ||
1.4 | Identify job requirements from specifications, drawings, job sheets or work instructions | ||
2 | Identify fabric performance characteristics | 2.1 | Use identification methods to identify fabrics and component fibres |
2.2 | Identify key performance characteristics of fabrics | ||
2.3 | Conduct performance testing of fabrics | ||
2.4 | Identify common problems and faults of fabrics | ||
2.5 | Identify fabric quality using established quality indicators | ||
3 | Identify fabric handling requirements | 3.1 | Use performance characteristics to describe appropriate uses of fabrics |
3.2 | Identify fibre and fabric finishes and implications for handling | ||
3.3 | Identify care requirements in handling fabrics and implications for production | ||
4 | Identify cleaning and labelling requirements | 4.1 | Identify care and cleaning requirements of fabrics |
4.2 | Identify labelling requirements according to current Australian Standards | ||
4.3 | Record outcomes according to workplace procedures | ||
Evidence of Performance
Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy the requirements of the elements and performance criteria, and include:
reading and following work instructions, standard operating procedures (SOPs), safe work practices
locating and interpreting information in Australian Standard AS/NZ 1957:1998 Textiles – Care labelling
using a range of identification methods to identify key performance characteristics of at least two (2) different examples of each identified fabric type (at least ten (10) fabrics)
conducting and keeping record of a broad range of performance tests on a variety of fabrics, including at least five (5) different performance tests on five (5) fabric types
identifying fabric quality of at least ten (10) different fabrics using established quality indicators
preparing a table to summarise performance characteristics, common problems and faults, appropriate uses, care requirements in handling products, and implications for production, of at least ten (10) different fabrics
collecting at least two (2) fabric samples to demonstrate at least four (4) different finishes, identifying their application and implications for handling
identifying care, cleaning and labelling requirements of a sample of at least ten (10) different fabrics or products, to comply with Australian Standards
recording outcomes according to workplace procedures.
Evidence of Knowledge
Evidence must be provided that demonstrates knowledge of:
safe work practices and procedures and use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
relevant Australian Standards
fibre identification:
natural fibres, such as cotton, wool, silk, linen
man-made, such as rayon and acetate
synthetic, such as nylon and polyester
fabric identification methods:
identifying physical properties and features and other characteristics determined by clients or markets
checking of specifications and manuals
consultation with specialists
visual inspection
tactile analysis
acetone
burn test
performance characteristics
performance testing
care and cleaning requirements:
dry cleaning
hand washing
washing
drying
ironing
special requirements (e.g. hanging)
bleaching
quality indicators:
straight grain
even or uneven weave
slippage
length of fibres
pilling
even print or dye colour
print alignment or sizing
fabric resilience
workability
wash testing
fabric finishes
information resources on fibres and fabrics
workplace procedures
recording and reporting practices.
Assessment Conditions
Assessors must:
satisfy the assessor competency requirements that are in place at the time of the assessment, as set by the VET regulator
have vocational competency in identifying fabric performance and handling, at least to the level being assessed, with relevant industry knowledge and experience.
Assessment should occur in operational workplace situations. Where this is not possible, or where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment must occur in a sufficiently rigorous simulated environment reflecting realistic operational workplace conditions. This must cover all aspects of workplace performance, including environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.
Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.
Conditions for assessment must include access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required, including relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications associated with this unit.
Foundation Skills
This section describes those required skills (language, literacy and numeracy) that are essential to performance.
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
This field allows for different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included. | |
Workplace procedures include one or more of the following: | requirements prescribed by legislation, awards, agreements and conditions of employment SOPs work instructions oral, written and visual communication quality practices, including responsibility for maintenance of own work quality and contribution to quality improvement of team or section output housekeeping tasks related to environmental protection, waste disposal, pollution control and recycling WHS practices |
Australian Standards include: | the relevant industry or Australian Standards that are current at the time this unit is being undertaken |
Fabric types include the following: | natural and synthetic single yarn fabrics and blends knitted fabrics, including weft knits and warp knits woven fabrics, including plain, twill, satin, dobby, jacquard and pile non-woven fabrics, such as felts, nets, braids, bonded and composite emerging smart fabrics |
Performance characteristics include one or more of the following: | stretch abrasion wearability absorbency durability elasticity heat sensitivity shrink resistance ease of care drape quality colour fastness strength |
Performance testing includes five or more of the following: | light heat chemical reaction absorbency abrasion pill wash fabric finish |
Finishes includes four or more of the following: | crease resistance fire retardency waterproofing or water resistance colouration for structural or applied design such as printing or dyeing surface finishes for aesthetics, stability or serviceability interlacing and interloping |
Handling fabrics includes one or more of the following: | cutting dyeing printing pressing lining assembling sewing packaging and storage |
Implications for production include one or more of the following: | sewing requirements such as needle size and type, machine type, thread type binding, joining, fusing requirements lining, reinforcement seam types |
Sectors
Not applicable
Competency Field
Clothing production